San Jose, California – Leading New Zealand tech expert Graeme Muller arrived back home from Silicon Valley today convinced New Zealand needs closer tech ties with Californian to help produce a thriving Kiwi economy.

Muller, chief executive of NZTech, was part of a large New Zealand contingent which has been engaging with leading US agribusinesses and Silicon Valley tech firms to learn about US agritech opportunities.

Salinas, California – Agritech New Zealand has forged a partnership with a major American company to speed up growth of agritech in New Zealand.

The partnership with Western Growers will strengthen and accelerate the development of agritech markets in both countries, Agritech NZ executive director Peter Wren-Hilton said from Salinas, California, today.

Silicon Valley – Agritech could be destined to save the New Zealand economy, leading New Zealand tech expert Graeme Muller says.

The tremendous worldwide demand for food continues to soar with some estimating the market to be worth $US3 trillion and much of the growth coming from specialty and healthy foods, Muller, the NZTech chief executive, says.

In less than a fortnight, more than 30 New Zealand agritech leaders will make history in Silicon Valley.

They will be part of the international 2018 Silicon Valley agritech immersion programme and Conference, involving Silicon Valley Forum, Tauranga’s Wharf42, Agritech New Zealand, Callaghan Innovation, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

A fledgling New Zealand agritech company run by a rising Kiwi entrepreneur who has worked for Rocket Lab has raised $8 million, from Silicon Valley venture capital firm Data Collective, which is likely to result in massive changes to the nation’s burgeoning dairy industry.

New Zealand can do better in the world of agritech because it has such great potential for its agriculture industry and monetising big tech investment offshore, a San Diego-based Kiwi from Wellington says.

Arama Kukutai is a partner in American investment company Finistere which has built and backed companies worth more than $US5 billion.

He is a key speaker next week during Techweek. He will be one of many glittering international delegates attending the 10 billion mouths Agritech conference at Tauranga on May 23. Agriculture and food contribute more than $US37billion to the New Zealand economy annually. New Zealand is the world’s largest exporter of dairy and sheep meat.